Chaos Heir

Chapter 1498: Call to arms

What followed was almost worse than the decades-long journey to find and reach the Nak’s home world.

It didn’t help that the descendants within Khan’s organization occasionally rejoined that diverse group, adding their inputs, inevitably worsening the tales.

Nevertheless, laughs never failed to resound after each funny, embarrassing, or problematic revelation, always keeping the group in a festive mood.

Also, there was another layer to everything. As often embarrassing as it was, the stories shared while drinks flowed non-stop described Khan’s life, and what a life it had been.

From the shabby slums scavenging for food to creating an unheard-of level of political authority in the regulated universe, Khan had truly done it all.

Khan had fought on alien battlefields, mastered arts that went beyond human comprehension, excelled in political fields, trained for the impossible, and even uncovered the universe’s deepest secrets, only to end up in a place he wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

Sitting among lifelong friends, savoring the finest booze in the universe, and holding the literal embodiment of family affection was the true culmination of Khan’s journey, his greatest dream, and the fate he had never thought possible or owed.

But everything on that white, impossibly warm desert was real, including the fond, often painful, memories shared over the sand.

If Khan could make a wish, if he could ask anything of the universe, it would be to spend the rest of his days exactly like that, among his lifelong friends’ laughter and the coziness of his family.

Still, the universe didn’t listen to wishes, even when coming from people at Khan’s level. That mostly dark, deadly, and empty expanse didn’t care for the countless lives it hosted.

However, that dreamlike future was still possible. Khan couldn’t ask for it, but could forge it by winning the greatest war to ever descend upon the universe.

That universal battle was the last hurdle, the final enemy to defeat to create the future Khan wanted, and its call eventually claimed his presence.

It all started with a loud shout that shook both sand and sky, echoing across the vast gathering and forcing the various, strategically placed machines to do their best to suppress it.

The laughs came to a sudden stop, and multiple gazes, glowing and not, converged on Khan, who was already looking at a spot hidden by dunes behind him.

Liiza reacted accordingly, crawling forward to place her baby in Zalpa’s arms, who was careful not to awaken her. Yeza was asleep again, and it was better to leave her at that. Her parents risked forsaking their political duties if she woke up crying.

"This was truly fun," Khan exclaimed, sighing as he stood up. "Let’s do it again before everything starts."

Liiza also stood up, only to move away so that Khan could approach Zalpa and leave a quick kiss on his sleeping Princess. Liiza took his hand right afterward, and the two faced the group, showing smiles and throwing goodbyes.

"[Bye, Solta. Bye, Elina]," Khan said, addressing Azni and Doku’s children since he had finally learned their names. "I will be pretty busy with everything, but we can find the time to meet as long as you remain nearby."

Of course, the nearby Khan had mentioned included entire planets and his domain as a whole. Still, the war effort was bound to begin once that party was over, making everyone more than busy.

A round of salutes and more jokes flew in Khan and Liiza’s direction, but the couple ultimately set off, flying toward the real center of that vast gathering, crossing the dunes to reach the main meeting.

The Thilku Emperor, the Royal Guards, Muhsin, the Kros’ tall sphere, Dean Ulluw, Mazatl, and Pa-ankh were exactly where Khan had left them, only slightly drunker.

Luckily, no evolved Orlats had decided to join that scary meeting, meaning Khan and Liiza could rejoin it as if they had never left in the first place, receiving the warm and mostly loud welcome they expected.

"Lord Blue Shaman!" The Emperor cried, not adding anything else, but lifting his glass sharply, generating violent gales in the process.

Khan smirked as the wind ruffled his hair, letting Liiza sit first while he seized two cups from the nearby cauldron, which had miraculously survived the evolved guests’ thirst and calamitous excitement, soon joining her on the sand.

"What did I miss?" Khan asked, welcoming Liiza between his legs.

"We might have a different application to the mutagen, Prince Khan," Pa-ankh revealed. "While discussing with Muhsin of the Kros, we devised a safer and less invasive theoretical method."

"What does it consist of?" Khan questioned, interested. Making the mutagen more effective and accessible was a priority, which would be accomplished by reducing its shortcomings.

"You had Fuveall working on synthetic organs to control what you classified as living elements," Pa-ankh described. "We are confident we can repurpose that study for the mutagen."

"There is a problem, Prince Khan of the Nognes family," Muhsin added, speaking through his metal chair. "The Kros contacted your scientists, who explained the limited nature of the mutagen’s main material."

That wasn’t actually the case. The mutagen had the Great Old One’s genes at its foundation, making it indeed a finite resource. However, as long as Khan and Yeza were alive, more of that could be produced.

Khan’s scientists had left their explanation vague for that exact reason. They couldn’t risk disclosing that troublesome information without Khan’s explicit consent.

"It’s not limited," Liiza intervened before Khan could fall prey to his usual problematic thoughts. "The Niqols’ Shamans will cultivate the material. Soon, you’ll all have as much as you need."

Liiza’s words had implied a separation between her and her species, but Khan sensed a different meaning through the mental connection. It seemed Liiza planned to join the research, and Khan couldn’t think of anyone better suited for the job.

Humankind, Kros, and Fuveall were indeed masters of science, but the Niqols had dealt with blood throughout their entire history. Chances were they knew methods no other species could match, and Liiza’s involvement was bound to keep that material’s secrets safe.

"Anything else?" Khan wondered.

"Drinking," Dean Ulluw said, shrugging his shoulders while bringing his cup to his mouth.

"Which we shall continue doing!" The Emperor cried, his voice causing the usual mayhem, but also indicating something else.

It seemed the allied front couldn’t accomplish anything else for now, leaving partying until dawn as the only remaining task. Still, Khan could and had to do one last thing before completely relaxing.

"I guess it’s time to get this one done, too," Khan sighed, scratching his head and clearing his throat, preparing himself for what followed.

Liiza sensed something, so she took Khan’s hand, reassuring him. She was aware her husband didn’t need that, but wanted him to know he had every right to ask and was the only person who could do it.

Afterward, Khan closed his eyes, focusing on the chaotic symphony, attuning with it so that the words that escaped his mouth would echo throughout it.

"Prince Khan speaking," Khan whispered, but his clear voice resounded everywhere, reaching every corner of the vast gathering and beyond, enforcing silence among the rowdy chaos. "I ask you to listen to me for a moment, for this is the greatest call to arms the universe will ever witness."